AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001298 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH KYRGYZ PRESIDENT'S BROTHER, JANYSH BAKIYEV Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador met with Janybek (Janysh) Bakiyev, Chairman of the State Security Service and brother of the President, to discuss U.S.-Kyrgyzstan relations and hear more about his Service. A welcoming and talkative Bakiyev briefed the Ambassador on his Service's operations and thanked the U.S. for building and rehabilitating the Kyrgyz National Guard's "Panther" barracks. Bakiyev said that the State Security Service, while primarily responsible for protecting the President and other Kyrgyz government officials, was also combating extremism and terrorism in Kyrgyzstan. He said that he had led several State Security Service delegations to various countries, including Israel, to review their counter-terrorism techniques and equipment. Bakiyev said that the State Security Service needed additional training and that Kyrgyzstan was ready to cooperate more with the U.S. on counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts. End Summary. ¶2. (C) At the December 15 meeting, a cordial and smiling Bakiyev told the Ambassador that he was extremely pleased to meet her and gave an extensive briefing on the State Security Service's activities. Bakiyev reiterated several times to the Ambassador that the State Security Service and Kyrgyzstan were ready to cooperate more with the U.S. on counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts. The State Security Service, which now includes the Kyrgyz National Guard, is primarily tasked with protection of the President and other senior Kyrgyz government officials. ¶3. (C) A talkative Bakiyev described his entire operation to the Ambassador and spared no detail in explaining how he was attempting to form a serious and professional force. Bakiyev talked about his efforts to improve the lives of his employees, including providing them with appropriate housing and adequate salaries. Bakiyev said that the State Security Service had already built two living complexes for employees and was in the process of building a third. Bakiyev noted that children of State Security Service employees attend free camp at Lake Issyk Kul every summer and the service had a fund for the families of employees killed on the job. ¶4. (C) Bakiyev thanked the U.S. Embassy for rehabilitating the National Guard "Panther" facilities, including building new barracks and a sports complex. The Ambassador told Bakiyev that the U.S. was exploring plans to build a counter-terrorism training center in Batken. He said that he had heard of the project and welcomed it, noting that Batken province is on a key transit route for terrorists. Bakiyev told the Ambassador that in the long-term, Kyrgyzstan was looking to reform the Ministry of Defense and develop a more professional and specialized military force like that of the United States. ¶5. (C) Bakiyev told the Ambassador that he had recently led delegations to several countries, including Turkey, Russia and Israel, to discuss counter-terrorist techniques and review equipment used by security services. Bakiyev also said that the State Security Service is looking for training from countries that have counter-terrorism experience, noting that the number one goal of the Service was fighting extremism and terrorists. Bakiyev said that Kyrgyzstan faces numerous threats from "Islamic extremists, including Wahabbis," and explained that poorly educated people in southern Kyrgyzstan were particularly vulnerable to the message of religious extremists. ¶6. (C) Because of the possible terrorist threat in Kyrgyzstan, the State Security Service was looking for training and expertise. Off the top of his head, Bakiyev said that the State Security Service wanted to purchase BISHKEK 00001298 002 OF 002 several unmanned aerial vehicles ("drones") and a bomb resistant tank or personnel carrier. The Ambassador and Bakiyev agreed that the Embassy Regional Security Office would discuss possible Anti-Terrorism Assistance training in Bishkek. In addition, the Ambassador said that the Embassy would review all possible assistance it could provide, including additional projects at the National Guard "Panther" facility. Bakiyev said that he would also welcome assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Subsequent to the meeting with Bakiyev, the Embassy received a diplomatic note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a list of items the State Security Service would like from the U.S. ¶7. (C) Comment: As the brother of the President and Chief of the State Security Services, Bakiyev wields significant influence over the security forces in the country. While he is believed to be a ruthless operator, he came across in the Ambassador's meeting as warm and genuinely interested in cooperating with the U.S. GFOELLER